BYD’s Yangwang Altior Is A $310k Rolls-Royce Copycat that debuted in Abu Dhabi as a direct rival to sedans from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach. Specifically, the vehicle is 5,600 mm (220.5 in) long, which makes it 55 mm (2.2 in) longer than a Rolls-Royce Ghost and 162 mm (6.4 in) shorter than a standard-wheelbase Phantom. BYD positioned the Altior as a fully electric alternative to established luxury vehicles, with the limited production Shanhe Dingyun launch edition starting at ¥2,080,000 ($311,540) in China.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Yangwang Altior’s design draws heavily from Goodwood’s style, evident in its side profile, which boasts distinctive proportions, suicide doors, and a chrome accent that connects the front and rear. The exterior’s two-tone color scheme and 21-inch polished wheels also evoke a sense of familiarity. At the front, complex headlights with rotating and sequentially illuminating elements bear a resemblance to those found on the Yangwang U8 SUV, albeit with a connection to the lower bumper intake.
The grille, adorned with a gold oracle-bone-script emblem featuring jewel-style elements, replaces the Spirit of Ecstasy. The rear features horizontally arranged taillights, giving off a subtle Lincoln Continental vibe. BYD attributes the diamond-shaped grille’s design to ancient Chinese ceremonial vessels, thus avoiding potential legal issues. Instead of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the gold oracle-bone-script emblem takes center stage at the front.
Interior Features and Amenities
Inside, the cabin wears high-quality materials including semi-aniline leather, silk embroidery, natural wood, and real metal. The front and rear suicide doors open to reveal a four-seat layout with zero-gravity massage and reclining rear seats. The front doors open by 80 degrees and the rear doors open by 90 degrees respectively. Unique features include a dashboard covered by screens, a powerful 21.4-inch overhead display for rear passengers, and a 39-speaker audio system with rising and rotating tweeters. Refrigerators and door-mounted umbrellas complete the luxury amenities found in similar vehicles.
Performance Specifications
The Yangwang Altior is equipped with quad motors, enabling it to perform tank turns and maintain stability in the event of a high-speed tire blowout. The vehicle is built on the e4 Platform and features four electric motors that can adjust torque over 100 times per second. Although BYD has not disclosed the combined output, the e4 platform supports the next-generation DiSus fully active body control system, which adjusts the adaptive suspension based on the road ahead.
Autonomous driving is managed by a 4 nm Xuanji A3 chip operating the advanced God’s Eye A system. The vehicle also boasts emergency flotation capability, designed for situations where it “accidentally enters water”. The Second-Generation Blade Battery provides energy, supporting FLASH Charging and offering an estimated driving range of over 621 miles (1,000 km) under CLTC protocols.
Pricing and Market Position
The Yangwang Altior enters a crowded market in China, with a price point that is four times lower than that of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which starts at around ¥8.5 million. Domestic competitors include the Huawei Maextro S800, priced from ¥708,000, and the FAW Hongqi Guoya, starting at ¥1.4 million. The Mercedes EQS is currently priced at ¥881,000, comparable to an entry-level Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. While there is no word on availability outside China, BYD’s decision to host the Yangwang Altior debut event in Abu Dhabi and share the press release on its UK media portal suggests that the high-end sub-brand may have global aspirations and could potentially enter export markets in the future.
